New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-13
LOCAL TELEPHONE RATES.
THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE WAKES UP


which facts ana figures had plunged it. when Mr.
Conoyer, who represented Democratic part OF West
chester County In the last legislature but failed this
time OF nomination, informed Chairman Ainsworth
that lie desired 10 set himself right" before the public
and thercupon read the following statement in an c-
| phatic manner:
notice article in OF the morning papers which
states that two members OF the committee Messrs
Dickey and Conover who not fortunate enough
be reelected to the Legislature OF 1885 seemed to regard
the whole thing dreadful bore and did not utter
audible word throughout the session Mr.. Chairman,
desire to state in to the article, that yen have
prepared list OF questions covering the whole matter.
and that each session the questions repeated
II would be folly and OF tlmo for the rest Of the
committee to ask them again. and We feel 1t unjust
that silence should be criticised"
Mr. Common had barely time get the words ont OF hS
mouth when Mr. Dickey. Of Rockland County, through
possible symp ithy with his Democratic associate got
on his feet and said with equal fervor that he
chagrined that such statement that in the news
paper should go ont TO tho people OF the State Had
attended TO my and neglected my duties this
committee" he exclaimed. ~ would undoubtedly have
been elected ain net Gus for an election wish
1t understood that by my that these proceed
ings made public. had been advised that II
committee of Investigation should exclude
the Press, for otherwise acts would be garbed
that nobody could understand them. But 1 thought
otherwise"
MIR. DICKEY's PATRIOTISM yOUCHED FOR.
Chairman Ainsworh promptly went TO Mr. Dickcy's
aid and Explained that Mr. Dckey hal left the committee
in Buffalo only just ia time to get TO this convention"
and that he had done everything possible aid the
mittoe. The chairman also declared that the committee
desired light from possible source on the invesga
ton Matters straghtway settled down and the men,
bers OF the committee dropped into mathe-
MATES
The day was occupied with an examination OF H. I.
StOrke yicepresident OF the Westclester Teephono
Company, whose president is Dexter A. Smith, while It's
secretary and treasurer Charles f. Cut cr who is also
president OF the staten Island ami OF the New York and
Pennsylvania companies Mr.. storke himself acts in the
multform capacity also of secretary and treasurer OF
the Hudson River and the New York and New-Jcrsey
companies and vlcepresdent OF the Central New-iork
and the New York and Pennsylvania companies. He Is
besides director in all He swore yesterday IN his
Wcstchester Telephone Company phase, which covers
westchcster and EOckand Counties This corporation
really only two stockholders Mr. storke said. tho
Hudson River and the Metropolitan Telephone Com
panies, aud ii came about in this way The company
originally part OF the Metropolitan District Com
pany division OF the Metropolitan, and from this 1t got
Its franchise for yhrec miles from the City Hall OF
this city. The Westchcster Company was organized
in July. 1882, with capital OF 100000, OF which
100000 issued in 1000 shares of $50 for the prop
erty OF the old companies and for - 5000 which had
been paid in in cash The other 10000 in stock went
10 the Metropolitan Telephone Company for the fran
chi.c. In January. 1s.3 Mr. Storke bought the 900
shares for $4,000 cash the Hudson River Company.
THE wE>TCuIsrEE CpNPNNN'> AFFAIRS.
Best! the 100000 in stock the Metropolitan Tele-
phone Company the following from the Wescheser
Company Royalties instruments, SlI a year each;
one third the net earnings one-at the net telegraph
bushes. ami 60 per cent of h"to line business between
this city and Wcstohcster County, while behind this
the American Bell Company reserved the right Of way
through the Weschester territory.
min of h. (OmOlny
July last were Sls4 300 7O expenses sl3323 IL, aud
the net earnings $5l.l67 -. on which diviacnds OF
s6 each had been declared In --3 and the other
In sSG, being average OF per cent on the capital
The average earnings year were sl0233 %, being
"a per cent On the capital In Juy there were l,0o6
stations with running from $50 TO 500 averaging
$40 A. The pole line mileage 100. wires SIS miles,
and toll line, AZ mills The amount paid to that time
FOR construction S13.l
Nh Storsc here got oppor unity to declare that no
had no nterost IN the Bel Telephone Company Then
Chairman Ainsworh took mp the question OF royalties.
and asked the witness to CIV his opinion upon the roy
sucs paid by the various companies in which Mr. storSe
was an officer tho Bell Telephone Company; also as to
the stock which these companies were compelled TO
issue" for their franchises.
Mr. storke- know that il il too heavy burden on
the business Of the local cou Iles We can't AFFORD TO
pas IT,
As to the relative merits the fiat rates aud the toll
system OF charges Mr. tho ht the toll system tho
charges were arbitrary. Tho toll system would in
crease the price 10 large users and diminish FOR small
ones II would also aid TO the income OF the company
The system would he practicable In the westchcstcr
I'll trlct howcv Without an installation rate 10 cover
the cost OF the telephone"
lFLrPHoNE "DEAp-HEADS" PLENTIFUL.
Mr. sorke made this interesting observation: Il
thuk from p SO per cent OF our business Is dead
head"
GLOW SOL A.-Why, tor instance, every grocer's
customers his phone. They take II rs mater OF
course ANA the grocer dare not reuse
Mr. >torkcs at cnoa was next called TO the dates OF
the expiration OF OF the Bell Telephone Complnys
patents lie believed that the precise tine Was March
o. What after that date. do you think will be tho
future of the telephone business Al believe there
Will compel us tocNpcnd large amount OF MONEY 10
meet the increase III business HE patent Oh tue re-
o-nocs not the BELL Company own several hundred
patentst Al believe "a. go,
a, now A.-No. But service could bc rendered winch
cam not give We could then do more business at
QrWould any change BE- effected in The amount OF
stO,k YOU have given Tor your ir'hcnlSe - l,e
ou, change come 10 Us would he IN taking on royalty
o What per cent in royalties have you already paid
Al can't tell exactly-more Than our net earnings,
IS there anything in your contract providing for
elimination royalty at certain time A-No
O-Thc contract is perpetual one A-les Bus
there would be equt. there 10 control The matter
Mr. sax on broke in here with the calm remark There
may he au equity. but think the contract would con-
troll" The witness hal nothing to say on that
point Messrs. COno,er and llckey maid
fhcr statements the pubic nj thls
nn,nt and Mr. Storkc then explained that there
had made an exchange Of stock for secs win the iiud
son Lyrr company, thus giving control OF the Vast
chester Company leaving the Hudson River ami tue
Mctropolltan companies sole owners. Ehe American
COMPANY tho witness sit, had from tbs beginning
been participants In the Westminster COnpthys dlW'
GendS. - H. .,..,,...
LAWYER Camp did not ask rs many Leading questions
v..,.rl,v as h.fore. Mr.. StOrke VIII b" exam.
ine Tomorrow about the Hudson River Telephone Com
pIny.
PLANS FOX the MASONIC FAIR
one of the features OF the opening winter season
will be the great fair at Masonic Temple. beginning
ON November % and lasting for three weeks. Tho
- IL, u IN he dnNnlnl crc.lIng